Insight: Ken Roczen
Monday, April 2, 2012 | 11:00 AM
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Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen looked to have the Indy SX win sewn up a few weeks ago, until he threw it away all by himself. Kenny chalked that one up to bad luck, and then found out what good luck can do in Houston, when race leader Justin Barcia crashed with a lapped rider on the final lap, allowing Roczen to cruise by for his first win of the year. We talked to him in the KTM semi after the race.
Racer X: You won. Did you realize you had won?
Ken Roczen: [Laughs] Yeah. I mean, I’m glad I won. I just said to Roger [DeCoster] it’s not the way I want to win, but I’ll take it. People have good luck, people have bad luck, you know? Tonight it was just the luck on my side. Tonight I felt solid. I felt a little rusty because of the flu. I haven’t been riding for this whole week. I’m just happy to come out with the big win right now. It’s a monkey off my back. Now, with a weekend off, no traveling, I’ll get a lot of rest, but at the same time hard practice for New Orleans. Also getting ready for outdoors.
So you think you’re going to get over this where you can finally go to normal, clean riding?
Exactly. I can’t just go back at it 100 percent and do 10 hours of training a day. I’ve got to get back in it slow, but it’s good to put in solid practice over two weeks. So my confidence is getting better, too. This was a big monkey off of my back, every week it seemed like something was happening.
A late crash from Justin Barcia allowed Ken Roczen to pick up his first win of 2012.
Simon Cudby photo
The thing is, though, I know you were in second, but you actually ended up fighting for the win because Blake Baggett was on you and you managed to hold him off, which is what eventually got you the win.
I would’ve been super happy if I could finish in second place if the race would have kept going the way it was. My dad said that if we can get a second place here, it’s like a win. Then finally with him crashing and stuff, I got the win, so it was good.
What was the track like? People usually like the Houston dirt. What did you think?
I didn’t like it the whole day. There were a lot of fast spots. It was mainly one line. There were a couple sections where you could pass overall, but you always have to take it the way it is. For everyone, it was the same, so you can’t complain. It was important to get a good start.
How hard was that one rhythm on the far side where you had to go triple on? Was that tough?
It was not hard, to be honest. Out of the corner, there was a rut. This triple was hard, but once you had done that, you could triple-on easy. But like I said, I felt a little rusty for not riding, you know? It took me a lot of time to get going and I didn’t really ride the way I wanted.
So you’ve been sick and not riding as much during the week. It’s actually slowing you down at the beginning of the races, getting going, than it is making you tired at the end?
Yeah, exactly. That was a big part. But also I’m only 80 percent. I was just trying to get my rhythm and ride the way I want, you know?
With an off-week on the horizon, Roczen looks to get back to 100 percent.
Simon Cudby photo
You rode the West Region last year, and I know you did some crazy traveling beyond that, going back go Europe between some of the supercross races. But is it a little harder traveling to the East than West?
Oh, it’s hard as hell!
It’s a big difference?
Yeah, I mean in the beginning I thought traveling back and forth, flying doesn’t matter, but it does. It’s a whole day of flying. It starts early with your flight at like seven in the morning or something. You have to get up at three, go to the airport, you always have to get there a little earlier. Then it’s three hours riding the first flight, stop, and then three hours again. It totally makes you tired.
So that’s another thing you’ve kind of had to adjust to.
Yeah, exactly, that has been hard. I’m trying to find a rhythm, though.
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Serious! No question about what happened with Barcia roosting him at the end? If you want anyone's take on the incident, it would be Roczens.
The Unprinted Question and Answer
Q. So do you think Barcia is a big puss
KR. Ja!
He got a gift this week but that's racing. Have to be there until the end to win it, so congrats on his first win. But Roczen seems to have excuses every week this year in SX.
Twitter: KenRoczen94
yeah:-) not the way i want to but.... i ll take it:-) barcia roosting me when race was over-> crowd booing... haha love it
I'm guessing he forgot the fact that he did the same to Durham a few weeks back in the heat race.
Guten Morgan KR. Barica might be working up to a reality TV show just like JS. Good Drama.
I still think Barcia could have been smarter lapping the rider. He is the top rider and if he can't avoid and ride a smart line he might need to go back and think about his ability to ride.
I like how Fro said "that was way to nice" when he passed JB. These guys need to play the same way JB does.
The Wilson/Roczen matchup outdoors should be interesting
Ride111.... you cant be serious. Barcia is in a league of his own out there in that class. He is dominating it just like Poto in the 450 class. I agree the roosting was a touch over the top but that stuff comes from someone who is passionate, someone who hates to finish second. I compare Barcia to Kyle Busch. Somewhat of a loose cannon but passionate about winning and very skilled. Some people love it, others hate it, but you cant take away his skill.
@jsharp, just because he's the fastest guy in that class, does NOT give him an excuse to act like that..
Comparing Barcia to Kyle Busch does him no favors.
1) Passion is not a license to be a brute or vulgarian. Murders have passion. Everyone has passion. Its character and emotional maturity that allow us to restrain and redirect it. So, if you act like a thug it is not because you HAVE passion. It because of what you HAVENOT.
2) Do most people know the difference between a reason and an excuse?? Do they know there is a difference? I wonder, because I read people's comments here and it seems nearly endemic that the authors can make no distinction between them.
3) Who is Kyle Busch and who does he ride for?
er, "murderers"
rocxen is still learning the travel and ropes somewhat the gp travel is grueling too ,but he has been sick at 100% he will be amazing to watch the 80% is already amazing ,barcia is seasoned and been doing it along time now and isnt sick .everyone knows when your sick most people dont even go to work much less race pro .you could see in toronto ken looked terrible sick ,but he still killed it 2nd looking like death .just sayin .barcia on the other hand in houston major meltdown wasnt cool .didnt see that coming .and the 5,000 fine was peanuts to him .the fine should have been atleast 25,000.00 . his actions were totally uncalled for .lap riders ,beware !!
It's great to have KRoc and Musquin racing over here. It really adds to crazy amount of talent on the line each week. Im really looking forward to outdoor season. Barcia seems to have a much better program and should be more of a factor this year. There are only 3 steps on the podium so a lot of big names are going to be left out each week. Does Yamaha and Suzuki even have a prayer of getting in there?
I'm sick of this kids excuses. it denegrates the AMERICAN riders he races against. Yes i said it I am proud of my US riders unlike some of you liberal hippies on here complaining about JB and his balls.
roczen says oh i am only 80 percent... flu this and can't ride that "I can't wait to train 10 hours a day!" B.S. I have been into athletics for many years and no one trains 10 hours (with any real intensity) a day except for a few ELITE endurance athletes - ...what an arrogant ass...as if to say when he is better he will drill everyone. When James Stewart or Alessi ( i don't like either one BTW) or someone of their ilk says something similar they get raked over the coals and this kid gets a free pass...
I hope Tomac Barcia Bogle Durham and Bagget take turns pounding this kid all summer. I RESPECT HIS ABILITY ON THE BIKE ONLY - and it is not like he is the second coming on wheels!!
Since week one of the series he has had an excuse for not winning...when he had the chance he threw it away and then he gets one handed to him - awesome.
KROC for mayor of SanFransico...
I like the fact that Barcia loses it - too many people have become so pussified its a joke...
Just exercising my first ammendment rights commies. Deal with it.
@dinosaurmedia - You are a royal a*s. He might make some excuses, but your pretty much saying he's lying about having the flu, look at some interviews with him from Toronto and some from this week, he looks sick. Like someone said earlier, some people don't know an excuse from a reason. Do you have something against all riders from across the pond? Or maybe just Germans, pardon my asking but are you Jewish?
Well said "penguin_bob".
Thats funny!
@penguin bob - No dude i am not Jewish. i just feel this guy has been made up by the media and softie like you to be the greatest thing and when he fails he always has a convienient excuse.
I race everyweekend. I feel sick I deal with it - I do not DENEGRATE my competition that beat me on the day by complaining about my illness.
Puss...
And the reason he has been losing is that Barcia is faster. There is your differentiation Penguin Bob. If it really needs to be that simple.
@dinosaurmedia - I can see where your coming from and I don't really wanna argue about it because on my side it would be biased because since I am a fan of his I probably won't see his excuses like you (not sure if your a fan or not). Also I would like to apologize for asking if you were Jewish, that was really out of line, and I'm sorry.
They all got excuses when they dont win. But if you listen to him on the podium he says Barcia was faster. Barcia has been faster all year but you cant knock Roczens determination to win.
man vincent was stupid rider on the track for sure or ktm need some rider to beat barcia for win like vincent does,roczen never beating barcia anyway just lucky in fact be true
"I hope Tomac Barcia Bogle Durham and Bagget take turns pounding this kid all summer"
They will have to catch him first.
If he rides anything like last year, they will pass him when he lawn darts every weekend...
KROC will clean up on Wah-Wah outdoors,
Then Barcia will move up to 450's on one of the hurt honda riders bikes arond half way through the season because he will be out of the title hunt. KTM and the PC boys are going to clean up outdoors.
I'm a American and I always pull for U.S. riders but, Roczen seemed like a cool kid with a lot of energy and I was a fan until he showed up for the East coast SX. This kid has done nothing but make excuses every weekend. When he blamed the KTMs clutch for his mistake of jumping the gate I lost a lot of respect and then the next week he roosted DD for a clean pass. Then he crashes on his own and blames it on bad luck 3 times in one interview. He is super lucky to win in Houston for a few reasons, Blake was all over him and DD was faster than him and Barcia is out of KRs league. Now all he says is he is at 80%! Bull, He is a fourth place guy in SX east. Roczens true colors will really show outdoors when he is lucky to get in the top 5. You can STAMP that. I was a fan but his constant excuses and bad sportsmanship has made it easy to cheer for U.S. riders. ( although My Skin is one of the nicest guys to ever race at the pro level)
When was the last time any of you keyboard cowboys had to come back to a professional level of racing after a broken bone? How about doing an endurance sport with the flu? Roczen is not 100%! Bummer he called his crash bad luck! That one heck of a reason to not like a guy! I Believe Barcia would have won the title this year regardless. I wish I could like Barcia but the way he behaves in Europe and the crap he pulls here makes me hate him as a racer. Go throw another tantrum you little Punk!!!
CE33 wrote: about 6 hours ago
If he rides anything like last year, they will pass him when he lawn darts every weekend...
Lawn darted outdoors? You mean when he won the 250MX2 World Championship? Youngest ever? You seem very knowledgeable.
Rockzen would kill on a Honda. What he is doing on the KTM is amazing.
To all kroc haters and doubters...
The "kid" has only been riding and practice sx since last year and the rest of the field??? well nearly their whole career...
Kroc is a outdoor rider and i wouldnt be surprise if he stays healthy he will win the outdoor series pretty easy... Why i,m so sure about this..well check out the mxon 2010 and 2011... Hm beats dungey and fights with villomoto.. well havent seen any other lites rider do that accept villo himself..And where were the ama outdoor champion 2011?? well about 15 places further back in the field.... remember this in september boys n girls =)
funny how short peoples memories get about certain riders. To think Roczen wont be up front in the Nationals is just foolish, he will be up front every weekend battling for the podium and most likely a bunch of overals. That guy hauls it outdoors, period. I think it was Townley who said, "he a fast little shit" after the MXDN.
@motoranch We are entitled to our opinions and that is cool but dude as much as I love MX and race -well used to.. I race MTB and Road Bicycles now - you cannot call a 15 minute main event "endurance" I do 15minute intervals to warm up for an endurance event...- get real on that one.
@mx-fan - the posts are not about the outdoors its about the Houston SX...I have said I respect his ability on the bike - on this thread - but I do not like candy ass complainers. And i'm not pumped on how Barcia acted... myself I would have taken it to the speedbag for 30 minutes...that what Stanton should have made him do...punch it out!!
I to have gotten sick of lil roczens excuses, EVERY race this year he makes it a point to let EVERYBODY know he's been sick (3 races) or calls it bad luck when he makes mistakes. Hell yea hes a good rider but he lost me as a fan right quick, and has made me want our USA men to teach him to be a man.
Dinasaur is right he belittles evryone else by infering he would be winning if he wasn't sick or having bad luck- I call bullshit. What I think is happeneing is he was Hyped like crazy-he IS good, but our boys are better and he has resorted to making excuses. Unlike the men that say I got beat and I have some work to do.
hopefully this kid will grow up and not repulse the sportsmen out here. No more WAAA WAAA from roczen !!!!
Notice how RV NEVER blamed sick for not winning, he just showed up for out doors last year got third and you didn't hear or know he was sick until you saw the interveiw with his pale face bloodshot eyes coughing with every sentence saying he was going to have to do better. I respect the guys that can say I got beat.
I have been watching this young European for going on three years now. Paying very close attention to the entire GP schedules, I have so much respect for his Physiological, make-up he is, in my opinion, a product out of the same mold as his Team Manager, just a half century difference in their age. In a way, I think it a shame because he could not defend his GP title but, he really needed to get his knickers over here and become even more (Americanized) if you will, than he already is. He is the same age as all these guys he is racing against, and he acts as acclimated as they, if not more. That alone, is remarkable, for his age. He carries himself as if he was 30, instead of 19 in a foreign country, which is what the States are to him. His parents have done a stellar job with this young man, and they should be damn proud of their son, is all I can say. All the best to you, Champ...